'So You Think You Can Dance': Russell soldiers on without Noelle

It's our first real performance night on "So You Think You Can Dance," and also the first results night thanks to baseball taking over the schedule! The judges will decide who's going home with no viewer input whatsoever...I feel so powerless!

And unfortunately, we're also short one guy and one girl. Brandon, a hip hopper cut in Vegas, joins us in place of poor mono-stricken Billy. And Noelle injured her knee yesterday and will be getting an MRI tomorrow, but definitely can't dance tonight - her leg has so many splints and wrappings that it probably weighs more than she does. Melanie, her choreographer, will stand in for her and if Noelle can't dance next week, she's out. But we've got 10 fabulous couples raring to go, so let's jump right in!

1. Channing & Phillip 
Jive/Jason Gilkison/"Rockin' Robin" by the Jackson 5: These two are a bit rough around the edges, and a couple moves could've been more effortless. However, their enthusiasm is infectious. I wish Channing got to show off her power a bit more, but as Adam points out, she had a lot of elegance. She and Phillip make a cute pair, and will be even better if they can amp up the chemistry as Nigel suggests. Mary gives it a solid "not bad," but she wants more.  

2. Ashleigh & Jakob
Broadway/Tyce Diorio/"Hit Me With a Hot Note (And Watch Me Bounce)" from Sophisticated Ladies: Tyce gives them a "sultry" routine, which doesn't bode well for my enjoyment since I was already annoyed with Ashleigh for being over-the-top flirty with the camera (see: Melissa from S5). Jakob, though, was so awesome I barely noticed Ashleigh. Even though they were supposed to be sexing each other up, it felt like they were dancing in two different routines to me - he was flying while she was skimming just above the ground. I'm in the minority, though, because the judges give her raves right along with Jakob. Though Nigel implies that she'll be riding on Jakob's coattails, calling him (along with Billy Bell, aww) one of the most gifted dancers he's ever seen. 


3. Ariana & Peter 
Hip Hop/Tabitha & Napoleon/Black & Gold by Sam Sparro: First NappyTabs routine of the season! Ariana and Peter portray supposedly emotionless androids who still manage to form a love connection. This one's all about the chemistry, and they manage it in an adorable - if not red hot - way. Adam points out that they weren't dancing enough alike, and that the choreography overwhelmed their dancing. Mary agrees that it got sloppy, and Nigel's disappointment draws his first boos of the season.  


4. Noelle & Russell 
Foxtrot/Tony & Melanie/"Vagabond Shoes" by Vic Damone: Russelllll!!! And...Melanie! Aww, poor partnerless Russell. We do get to see him practicing with Noelle, but Melanie fills in for the performance, which could have either raised his level or made him look lame in comparison. Happily, it's the former! I love the way he goes all out with his arm and leg extensions, and that he dances with so much personality. The judges are just as all over him as I'd be if I were there. Of course, he had some technical hiccups, but it's generally raves all around.

5. Bianca & Viktor 
Contemporary/Travis Wall/"Wasted Time" by Me'Shell Ndegeocello: This routine got the first "wow" of the night from me. Viktor was lucky enough to draw his own style, but Bianca really hangs in there, despite some issues with form. These two have the best chemistry of any partners we've seen yet - and they may in part have Travis's outstanding choreography to thank for that. The moves where they somersaulted over each other and where he held her as she bent back down to the floor were really cool. The judges note the connection between them, and appreciate both Viktor's excellence and Bianca's growth, even though she's still got work to do.  


6. Karen & Kevin 
Cha Cha/Tony & Melanie/"Push It" by the "Glee" cast: First, let's take a moment to recognize the outstanding (if rather network-pimping) song choice. Yes. Okay, moving on...Karen's obviously right in her element, but Kevin moves more fluidly than I expected. And these two have the super sexy requirement of the dance down - especially Karen, who hops right on board Mary's hot tamale train, with Kevin on the platform ready to join her.    


7. Ellenore & Ryan 
Contemporary Jazz/Sonya/"Arcadia" by Apparat: Sonya's vision is of two angelic creatures - Ryan's dark, overbearing angel and Ellenore's pure, submissive angel. The routine is very Sonya, and very awesome. (Although in my mind, the two are generally synonymous.) Ryan and Ellenore do a great job picking up the jerky, birdlike movements of their characters while still making it beautiful. And I've said it before, but I'll say it again: I love Ellenore to death. The judges appreciate their commitment to the characters, their chemistry, and the originality of the routine - and they're favorably surprised by Ryan.
 

8. Pauline & Brandon 
Smooth Waltz/Jason Gilkison/"You Light Up My Life" by Whitney Houston: If you're gonna draw smooth waltz in the first week, best to do it in a season where the judges are deciding the first eliminations, because while this routine was pretty, I doubt it was exciting enough to draw piles of votes. Brandon does fairly well for a hip hopper pulled in at the last minute, and Pauline radiates joy to the point where I actually want her to turn the smile down a notch. Brandon, of course, gets raves from the judges for jumping right into the deep end, but they give him plenty to work on. Nigel, in fact, gives them both mixed reviews.  


9. Kathryn & Legacy
Hip Hop/Dave Scott/"On & On" by Missy Elliott: Well, Legacy obviously lucked out like mad here. (Conspiracy theories in 3...2...1...) They play a caveman and cavewoman carried away by the beat in this playful routine, and Kathryn does a seriously impressive job keeping up with Legacy. I barely remembered her from the auditions, but I'll definitely be keeping an eye on her from now on. Mary gives it a "Yabba dabba dooooooo!", and the pair gets props for their chemistry and their individual contributions to the partnering (Legacy's ability to hit hard, and Kathryn's ability to dance a story).  


10. Mollee & Nathan 
Disco/Doriana Sanchez/"Turn the Beat Around (Pablo's 12" Remix)" by Gloria Estefan: Okay, let's get this out of the way right now: Cutest. Couple. EVAH. Now on to the routine: It's fast. It's inspired by Mexican wrestling. And it's got some seriously challenging lifts that quickly erase the initial perception that you're watching two kids dancing. You know, I don't usually love Doriana's routines, but these guys almost got me into it. The judges love the energy, the charisma, and the difficulty.      


Favorite Numbers: Bianca and Viktor's contemporary piece really drew me in, Kevin and Karen's cha cha was wonderfully in-your-face sexy, and Ryan and Ellenore's routine was Sonya-tastic.    
Stand-out Individuals: Jakob is clearly one of the dancers to beat this season, as is Russell. Ellenore has a quirky charm that draws me in and holds my attention, and Kathryn got my notice with her non-train wreck hip hop performance.  
Disappointments: I thought Phillip would've torn it up with the jive rather than just coast through, and I thought Peter and Ariana wasted a NappyTabs routine that had tons of potential. 

But it doesn't matter what I thought, because the judges are here to cruelly crush the hopes of two dancers, and the 47,000 Americans who would have voted for them. Ariana, Brandon, Pauline, and...Russell will be judged on their performance in the competition altogether rather than merely on the solos they're about to perform. And can I join the crowd in first their gasp of disbelief, and then deafening boos at the addition of Russell to that list? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! Not Phillip? Or Peter?! Booooooooooo! But on the bright side, we get to see another awesome Russell solo!  

1. Ariana 
Song - "Darkest Hour" by Charlotte Martin : She definitely puts her all into it, leaping and twirling like she really is dancing for her life, and emoting just like Nigel always wants. However, I'm not sure she sets herself apart from the dancing masses quite enough.

2. Russell
Song - "Give the Drummer Sum" by Black Milk: Our boy Russell, on the other hand, sets himself apart just about as much as possible. His face and movements are aggressive, but there's almost an angry joy in his power, if that makes sense. It's surprising, unique, and generally outstanding.

3. Pauline
Song - "Magalenha" by Sergio Mendes : Heeey, I have this CD - great song choice! And she definitely injects her own flavor into the dance. It's sexy without being over the top, she throws in just enough tricks to keep it interesting, and I can get a real sense of what she'll bring to the competition.

4. Brandon
Song - "Slow Dancing In A Burning Room" by John Mayer: These dancers sure love their John Mayer, don't they? I can't really remember what Brandon did in his initial solos, but I'm not sure this was the best choice for him. Maybe dancing really slow hip hop is more technically challenging than what I generally imagine as hip hop (or maybe not), but Brandon almost makes it into a contemporary routine...without the skill of someone like Jakob or Billy.

First up are the ladies, and the judges are unanimous in their decision. Nigel points out that they're both amazing dancers, but sends Ariana home for the lack of charisma in her dancing. Pauline, he suggests, needs to dance with more passion. I'm totally comfortable with this decision, and think it's probably the same thing that would've happened if we'd gotten a chance to vote the bottom four.

The gents are up next, and this is probably the least suspenseful elimination ever. Russell is encouraged to keep learning other styles, and Brandon is sent home. Nigel points out that he wasn't initially included in the Top 20 because the judges thought he needed to grow more, and says that he'll ask FOX to allow him to return next season even though the rules say you can't come back after being in the Top 20. That seems fair, especially since he only had a day and a half to rehearse this week.

Do you agree with the judges' decisions? What were your favorite routines this week? Who's the couple to beat?

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